This is what you do before, after and in between seminars, you go to the tasting rooms and parties and try new products, cocktails, eat a bit of delicious food and snacks so you can handle all the alcohol and least but not last – you meet interesting people!

Here is a great opportunity to make new friends and contacts, learn new things, try new and old products and have a lot of fun!

Without further ado, here´s a picture parade of a few of the many tastings i went to!

Greeting us on the wednesday morning was the Absolut Bloody Bar that served two different types of Bloody Mary`s, a very good start of the day!

ABSOLUT VODKA was partnering for the first time with NYC’s Saxon & Parole and the S&P team served Tales guests cocktails using their signature Bloody Mary recipes which were delicious and exactly what most of us needed that morning.

The ingredients were fresh like morning dew!

The global launch of Bayou rum was nice! i`m especially fond of their spiced rum. They had a tasting room and then also a tailgate on the street! the first 200 attendees got a “swamp survival kit” – which of course – included bottles of rum….

Not sure if you need rum to survive in the swamps but to make sure they had included a fishing lure…and of course cocktail recipes! Look out for a review on this blog later of this rum.

There’s a spirit that runs through the bayous of the land and veins of the residents of Louisiana that’s like no place on earth. From the culture to the cuisine, to the way people celebrate; it’s about living life to its fullest and having some fun along the way. It’s from this place, where sugarcane first came to the USA, that Bayou Rum was born.

For many it may been their first experience with a handcrafted Louisiana Rum made from raw unrefined Louisiana sugar and fresh Louisiana molasses distilled down the road in Lacassine.

Up for grab were also bites of tasty Cajun finger foods to go along with Bayou Rum cocktails or neat sips – let the good times roll!

Bulleit bourbon had both tasting street side and a fantastic mint julep laced event in the vieux carré room called “Juleps and Southern Porch Party” – where i got to meet Tom and Hollis Bulleit again! They are very nice people and their products are nothing but top quality stuff! They spoke about their brand which is always interesting!

The attendees also received complimentary Bulleit engraved mint julep cups with a mini bottle of Bulleit bourbon and a stirrer!

Shiny julep cups!!

Doesn`t it make you thirsty when the water on the cup in the picture starts to defrost?

Hollis and Tom Bulleit.

The amazing food was provided by Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse! Here is one of the best steaks i ever had and a great smoky jambalaya!

Ole Smoky Moonshine was a new discovery for me, i loved their blackberry and peach moonshine and the how cool were jars they use!

Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine Master Distiller Justin King presented the authentic flavors of Tennessee moonshine. Each iconic jar begins with 100% corn that’s grown at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains near the distillery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Using techniques passed on through generations, every mason jar of Ole Smoky is based on a 200-year-old family recipe.